They might have called it Occupy New Delhi.

In an Indian incarnation of the burgeoning social protest movement, one of its most celebrated yogis Baba Ramdev this week led thousands of disciples through the streets of the capital, protesting against what he claimed was endemic political corruption.

The focus of his attack is black money the estimated trillions of rupees said to be parked illegally in Swiss and other foreign bank accounts.

Much of it is controlled by the countrys elites, maintains Mr. Ramdev, the bare-chested, richly maned, 41-year-old head of a multimillion-dollar international yoga empire.

The gurus campaign, however, is only the latest manifestation of a growing cultural phenomenon the politicization of yoga.

At first glance, that might seem oxymoronic.

Traditional yoga is about a seeking state of tranquil separation from the world.

The essence of the teachings is to act without motive for gain not to seek the fruit of any action, says Divya Prabha, founder and director of Halifaxs Shining Bay Yoga Studio. And if you are motiveless, there can be no agenda.

More practically, most of the millions of students who have lately discovered the joy of yoga are too busy perfecting asanas in hip leisurewear at hot-yoga studios to join campaigns for reform.

Blessed with an aura of credibility by celebrities Sting, Lady Gaga, Shaquille ONeal, Jennifer Aniston more than 20 million Americans are now flocking to yoga classes. In the United States alone, its a $7-billion-a-year industry, with more than 25,000 studios and all manner of merch.

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How yoga is turning into a protest movement